New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-27
G.. A. r. AND PENSIONS.
REPLIES OF POSTS TO A TRIBUNE CIRcU-
LAR.

| to all the commanders of posts of the Grand Army
of the Republic in the United States letter OF
inquiry concerning pensions. There are nearly
5000 posts with membership of $4,000 men.
The circular asked the following questions
l. Does your Post favor the passage OF the Dependent
Pensions bill SEQ copy OF the same herewith -
2. Does your Post favor General Service Pension
bill to Union vetoransi II so about what per months
pension bills granted by Congress in special cases
which the applicants able to show good cause, but
are unable % comply with the rules now governing the
4. what, If any, pension legislation does your Post
5. How many worthy veterans do know OF in your
county being supported by charity in the public
poorlonsei
The limit of time for replies was afterward ex-
tended to June Is by request of many commanders.
number of these replies have been published in
the Weekly and Semi-Weekly editions of The
TRIBUNE and o few are given below:
SHOT, INSANE AND A PAUPER.
p A. Hackeman Post 64,)
BrooSville, Ind
This Post had already January 90 1872 passed res
olntions consuming the action OF President Cleveland in
yetOng pension bls by a vote OF 15 to 7.
Answers TO your questions: ~ Yes. (2) Yes unani
mousy, SO a month. ~ No. Not No. az None (5)
We know OF two in county asylum. One has been
there years and is nnetyhye years Of age. He
was private in Company Ii, 6sth ind He was shot at
the battle Of Font Donelson in February, 1862. and
totally disabled AMI otherwise injured He applied for
pension nearly fifteen years ago. His case has been
in the hands OF special examiners some five or six years
and Is now but it looks though he might die without
his pension. A6dayits have been filed showing an
emergency for taking up his case, but it avas nothing.
lie is helpless infant and has In the last six or
seven years lost his mind that he cannot give any
account of himself whatever The Dependent Pension
bill would remedy such cases. and it would be godsend
thousands OF poor distressed soldiers who through
some trng echnay through the loss of their mind
have failed to prove their cases.
Permit and Post through me, to thank you TOT
the interest you taking in behalf Of the soldiers and
sailors who suppressed the Rebellion Success to you!
You are doing noble work write this by authority.
Yours William III. Jones, Commander.
FOR THE BUsHwHACKEIrs TO THINK OF.
Edmond Post, 312 G. A. r.
Edmond, Kansas, June 1, 1887
This Post is unanimously in favor of the Dependent
Pension bill. Individually AMI collectively Post,
we are opposed TO Veto Cleveland his party OF
federate Brigaders and bushwhackers wsom fought
years ago. and whom, God helping hope to give
black eye TO in 1883.
Mark J. Kelley, Commander.
NOT THEIR SHAME BUT THEIR HONOR TO BE
POOR.
Canton, " Y, May 10, 1887.
I believe thnt one OF the principles for which we
fought free speech, the ght to speak ones mind
freely on all questions OF public interest.
wish to say am in favor of service pension 10 all
soldiers after they pass certain age, say sxty-yc.
am against special pension bills law should be made
broad enough TO meet all necessary demands
am Disguised with and all persons and journals
that out On the enormous expense. wien the
proposition is made to pension soldiers As young men
We put the very best OF lives into the service Of the
Union. The old soldiers came home to meet lifes de-
mauds with weakened energies. As a class they are
poor day II Is not their shame but their honor that
they are our country what II s because of what they
did twenty-five years ago The very best they had they
gave.
II is not question Of charity but OF debt our great
country with large that they accumuat
ing the millions, should not plead poverty VIXEN asked
10 return in money compensation for the years OF
SUFFERING sacrifice and danger. The young men OF that
day. now old men. endured tha: country might be
one strong, rch honored among the nations OF the
earth.
think large proportion OF the who in the
ranks are I'm favor Of service pension bill, with such
restrictions as may he found necessary.
Rev T. L. Brown, Chaplain Canton Post.
GLAD FOR TIE INQUIRIES.
Archer Post, %. Indiana.
Princeton. indiana. May -, 1887.
% This Post does approve the veto (2) They are
unanimously in favor OF service pension. (3) They
entirely disapprove the rejection and veto OF private
claims wnen the main fact OF honorable service and loss
OF health from wounds disease contracted in the
service can be proved 10 reasonable satisfaction. 60
The Post believes that the pay of all soldiers should be
adjusted be equal to gold They not opposed
70 the legislation which declared Government bonds
payable. principal and interest. in gold bnt they do
object that, while wise legislation placed our national
credit on a firm and enduring basis, the men whose
heroic services, suffering and blood saved the nations
life and made her credit thing Of possibility should BIO
lightly forgotten. tol we nave no sOlcrs HOW III our
county poorhouse; but we have very considerable
number whose broken health and failing powers due 10
the effects OF field service, make their struggle for
livelihood bard and cruel one.
In conclusion desire say that we deem IL common
sense furnish any responsible inquirer the informa
ton of how stand in regard 10 fair and reasonable
pensions We are glad that such inquiries beginning
TO be made aud earnestly hope that your efforts may
result in crystazng into sensible action the promises
TO which We have been so long treated.
am also authorized by Masters Post 10 reply for them
substantially MS above. Ncspcr Dorneck.
TEN IN THE POORHOUsEs THERE
Ben Benfert Post. No 3l6,
Oriental, Penn, June IL, 1887.
We first stood aoof after the order against sending
alton we gladly respond to inquiry this most
yIa subject, from such stanch and proven friend of
the soldier and of the human race THE
NEw-YoRK TRIBUNE. Question l. No. Question ,,
Yes: - month. Question 3, No, No. No, No.
Question t. Soldiers and widows TO draw pen
slons whether tho soldier died OF disease con-
tractcd in the service not Question s. There are ten
worthy in the public poorhouses in the district
OF this Post. william f. Elders, Commander.
POINT FOR sTAY-AT-HOMEs
Eaton Post, 222,
Britton Mich, June 3. 1887.
Q) No. t2) Yes; SO 10 Sl2. (3) No. az That the |
fees TO agents shall than Sl0and they get all
the evidence and when agent asks for money from
ais client for any purpose whatever he should be guilty
u trying got money under false pretences and pun
shed for the same. (5) None g. A. K. take
of all such soldiers II they have hungry themselves
The Post unanimous on l, and 3.
When we see those OF age who stayed at home
rom the army having good homes and every comfort
md enjoying themselves while have TO work hard all
he time did not get 81 80 Dushe for wheat
90 cents pound for WOOL Sl5 per hundred for pork
we got Sl3 month part of the tme $l6 the rest and